Britain Should Prepare For The Worst: Emma Howard Boyd

The risk of flood is increasing day by day in the regions of Britain as the country is facing a major climate change. The chairwoman Emma Howard Boyd from the Environment Agency conveyed that the temperature can possibly rise up to 2C to 4C by the year 2100 and the country needs to spend £1bn on flood management. She also added that some regions have to evacuate because of the rising risk of floods. Boyd wants the government to change the policies regarding infrastructure and coastal changes in regards to make them flood resistant by 2050. She said, “We can’t win a war against water by building away climate change with infinitely high flood defenses.” She also warned about in some places, “the scale of the threat may be so significant that recovery will not always be the best long term solution and communities would need help to move out of harm’s way”.

According to the study performed by the agency, they think that the heavy rain and the coastal erosion may lead to a lot of damage. Environment Minister Therese Coffey said: “Flooding and coastal erosion can have terrible consequences for people, businesses and the environment. “That’s why we are already providing £2.6bn over six years, delivering more than 1,500 projects to better protect 300,000 homes.” Though she also added that “the threat of climate change will mean an increased risk and preparing the country is a priority for the government and the nation as a whole”. Friends of the Earth said: “Smarter adaptation and resilience building – including natural flood management measures like tree-planting – is undeniably important. “But the focus must be first and foremost on slashing emissions so that we can avoid the worst consequences of climate chaos in the first place. “With its relentless pursuit of fracking, airport expansion, and road building, and barely tepid support for renewable energy, our government is failing with this regard.”